Dermatologist to treat melasma/hyperpigmentation?
For the past few months, I've had persistent hyperpigmentation on my upper lip, which I think is melasma, aka pregnancy mask. I've tried a few topical treatments that didn't yield any results, and now I'm ready to get some professional advice/treatments. Does anyone have a good dermatologist or esthetician in the East Bay they would recommend for treating melasma?
Aug 3, 2021
Parent Replies
Dr Icecreamwala (yep, that's her name!) in Berkeley (and her PAs) are great for cosmetic stuff and treating melasma. Love Supple on Solano for facials but specifically sure if they treat melasma.
I really like Dr. Icecreamwala (don’t let her name deceive you!). She is friendly but also no-nonsense. She’s helped both me and my son for various dermatology issues and helped us both. She’s located near Alta Bates and her website is https://www.icecreamderm.com/. I also liked the ease of scheduling an appointment and any follow ups. Good luck!
Melasma is so challenging, I know all too well… I suspect a dermatologist will prescribe hydroquinone which can only be used for a few months at a time. I know you’ve tried topical products before but if you haven’t tried Paula’s Choice I’d give this product a diligent try (I’m currently using it and already ordered my second bottle and my first one isn’t even empty yet!):
https://www.paulaschoice.com/clinical-discoloration-repair-serum/804-80…
Tranexamic acid (the active ingredient) won’t thin your skin like a retinol or a beta/alpha hydroxy acid (I love/use all 3 daily), so if you get your eyebrows waxed there’s no need to give it up a week or so prior to your wax appointment, which is a wonderful bonus. The number one thing you can do to prevent melasma from getting darker is using SPF every day, without exception.
I would try a mild cleanser, a chemical exfoliant (they’re gentler than physical exfoliants despite the word acid), the Discoloration Serum and a full/broad spectrum 30 SPF. Repeat this protocol at night (minus your SPF), add a moisturizer (if necessary).
There are no overnight/quick fixes for melasma but if you give this topical treatment one more try you may not need to go to the dermatologist I hope this helps and feel free to ask me any questions. I’m a former skincare specialist/makeup artist and I know my stuff. Good luck!
The Obagi System will eliminate it in about 3 months. I’ve had this and other age spots. Just find a doc who reps Obagi (you will need several products - you can look up online). It works better than laser. Or the other cheap but longer method is to wear zinc sunscreen in that area every day. It will fade to zero after a year. I know bc I had this with every pregnancy and did all these solutions! Obagi works best.
I don't have a dermatologist recommendation but I will say that I saw two different dermatologists for the same thing in NYC and neither could do anything useful. There was a peel and also a medicated cream- I didn't notice any difference. Eventually though, it almost entirely faded away on its own. It really bothered me at first and I tried to cover it all the time but whenever I brought it up to friends they hadn't even noticed. I hope you find something that helps but in the meantime, try to remember that no one notices it as much as you! That's for certain.